EDITORIAL STANDARDS
How we decide what to publish.
SELF Principle publishes health education, not opinion and not advertising. These are the rules we hold ourselves to, and how to tell us when we get something wrong.
Who writes this
All content is written or reviewed by Sean Hashmi, MD, a board-certified nephrologist and obesity-medicine specialist. Nothing is published under his name that he has not reviewed.
Where our information comes from
We rely on peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews, and named clinical practice guidelines. We name the source.
When we cite a study, we say what it was, where it was published, and when.
We prefer randomized trials and large systematic reviews over single small studies.
We read the actual study, not a press release about it.
How we describe evidence
Randomized trials tell us what happened when something was tested. We say so.
Observational studies show associations. An association is not proof of cause, and we do not describe it as one.
Mechanism and animal studies explain how something might work. They are not evidence that it helps people.
Surrogate results, such as a lab value that improves, are not the same as outcomes that matter, such as living longer or avoiding dialysis.
Prevention is not treatment. Evidence in healthy people does not automatically apply to people who already have the disease.
When evidence is early, small, or mixed, we say that plainly instead of rounding up.
What we will never do
No ads, no sponsored content, no paid endorsements, no affiliate commissions.
We do not accept money that shapes what we teach. The one exception is the SELF Principle Sports Scholarship, which accepts charitable sponsors who fund student awards. Those sponsors have no role in our health education, and their names never appear in it. Any scholarship sponsor is disclosed on the scholarship page.
We do not sell your email address or your data.
We do not use fear or hype to get attention.
We do not present a single patient story as proof. Any patient example is a composite or shared with permission, with identifying details removed.
Education, not medical advice.
This content is for general education only and is not medical advice. It doesn't replace a conversation with your own physician. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, medications, or treatment.